LJW17

My wife and I want to do 5 nights in Italy in March. Was thinking 3 nights in Rome and two nights in a great little Tuscan village. We could drive from Rome. Just need recommendations for great, old, charming Tuscan villages that are close enough to Rome.

Thanks!

luvtotravel

About an hour north of Rome is Orvietto. You could stay in the hilltown or may I recommend an agriturismo outside the town, www.locandarosati.orvieto.tr.it/. You would need a car. We spent one night there and wished we could have stayed longer. Suggest half board (includes breakfast and dinner). They sell their own cookbook. We had a great dinner. From Orvietto there are many places to visit within a short ride, but with such limited time you might want to spend it in Orvietto itself. If you don't want to drive you could take the train (one hour) from Rome and stay in the hilltown itself. My website with my journal and photos of our visit: http://travelswithdiane.homestead.co...e23Umbria.html

On the other hand, three nights is not very long in Rome. You could take one day for Orvietto by train and stay all five nights in Rome. Easier than moving around with luggage.

luvtotravel

Sorry, try this link: http://www.locandarosati.it/

zeppole

Orvieto is a small Italian city, not a village, and it is in Umbria, not in Tuscany. A great deal of Orvieto is off-limits to motor-traffic, and the medieval town is well preserved and boasts a knock-out cathedral. It has the advantage of having a train station and a car rental office, so it is very popular with tourists and has lots of tourist shops and restaurants. Most tourists don't care it is actually in Umbria, not Tuscany.

Small cities in Italy sometimes feel like "villages" to tourists coming in and out for one day, but if you want a true characteristic village in Tuscany, the area is stuffed with them, with varying numbers of tourists. You might like some of these less well known Tuscan villages, each with outstanding foods and wine, not far from Orvieto

Cetona

http://www.borghitalia.it/html/borgo...=elenco&page=1

or Sovana

http://www.borghitalia.it/html/borgo...=elenco&page=1

or

San Casciano in Bagni

tp://www.borghitalia.it/html/borgo_en.php?codice_borgo=870&codice=elenco&page=1

Many people take the train to Orvieto, see the cathedral, pick up a rental car and head out to Tuscany.

lowcountrycarol

Go with the suggestion to train up to Orvieto as you will ultimately save time even if driving further on....you can return to the airport if you need to. If you do choose to drive out of Rome pick your rental site carefully as it can be very difficult. Some posters in the past have said that there is a rental office (try Auto Europe a consolidator) for one company but I do not remember the name which is near Vila Borghese and easy city exit

Second vote for Locanda Rosati, outside Orvieto but within easy drive to many interesting destinations....2 days is not very long so you want to stay near your next destination or airport you are departing from. Factor in travel time to Tuscany if that is your choice and time to return if you fly out of Rome.

bobthenavigator

I agree with Orvieto but I would give it only one day by train and save the time for Rome. You really do not have the time to make a car worthwhile.

ira

ditto bob

LJW17

Thank you all so much for you feedback! We are so excited to go. Zeppole and Luvtotravel I will check the websites you provided